Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11666521June 12, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had overheated and fractured. The contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 97,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666610June 12, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered and made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle vibrated while being turned off. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where unknown diagnostic codes were retrieved. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light was flashing continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors had failed, and the cylinder #6 spark plugs were replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with oil intrusion into the engine and the cylinders. Additionally, the contact was informed that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The dealer determined that the cylinder block assembly and the engine needed to be replaced; however, an unknown spark plug was replaced. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, where a scope with a camera was used to inspect the cylinders, and no oil was found; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle needed to undergo an oil consumption test. The contact was advised to drive the vehicle for 1,000 miles. The contact had parked and had stopped driving the vehicle due to safety concerns. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666256June 11, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Upper fuel pump module is defected and will malfunction. This leads to a fuel leak inside the vehicle. You will be able to see the leak if you remove the back seat and you will be able to smell the fumes of the fuel inside and outside the vehicle. This has occurred twice to our vehicle. First time, the vehicle had 72000 miles and the 2nd time is 130 000. The kia dealership repaired it the first time and has acknowledged the leak both times. This is dangerous as the vehicle can burst into flames by a spark or flame. We did not receive any warning lights regarding the fuel leak. The leak was determined by the smell and the reduced miles per gallon.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666162June 10, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Battery does not stay charged. I purchased the vehicle on 24AUG24. On 08FEB25, I began having trouble with the 12V battery. The battery died and Kia Roadside was called to jumpstart. The local Kia dealership replaced the 12V and tested the system. Everything checked out ok. I picked up the car on 10FEB25. On 03MAR25, I called Kia Roadside to jumpstart the dead 12V battery, again, and took the vehicle back to the same local Kia dealership. The dealer has been unable to correct the problem even with the help of Kia Corp.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666174June 10, 2025
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The Kia was using to much oil, the engine light came on and it’s the cam shaft sensor…just got it replace but still doing the same thing as the RPM’s is fluctuating …
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666019June 10, 2025
ENGINE
My 2015 Kia Sorento was in complete engine failure need help of repairing and replacing engine
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666032June 10, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I smelled fuel in & around vehicle. Did some checking discovered cracked fuel rail , causing significant fuel leak when engine is on. Did some more research online discovered 2012 KIA Sedona recall SC188 “fuel rail leak” Identical issue my 2012 Sorento has but my VIN does not come up with fuel leak recall. There is however recall 23V652 HECU replacement- engine fire possible
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666083June 10, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the gasoline odor had become stronger. The contact stated that upon removing the rear seats, the contact became aware there was gasoline continuously leaking into the vehicle while the vehicle was started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown repair was performed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the upper fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: WTY033. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair could not be covered because the vehicle was out warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665687June 9, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
GDI engine carbon buildup causing very high gas consumption and damage . Should carbon buildup break free it will cause engine falure resulting in engine seizure while at speed. Loss if property and life imment. Only soulition is disassembly to remove buildup. Another failure is corrosion on shift cable causing gear falure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665722June 9, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The mechanic replaced the air filter, brake fluid, serpentine belt, accessory belt, performed tire rotation, replaced the power steering fluid, and performed an oil change. The check engine warning light illuminated again. The vehicle was returned to the mechanic who replaced the ignition coil and spark plugs. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed the diagnosis. The dealer replaced the valve cover gasket, fuel pump gasket, and coolant, performed a 3-point GGI induction service, refilled the brake fluid, and replaced a carbon air filter. The failure persisted and the vehicle was returned to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that piston #3 had failed, and a spark plug was burned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. While the contact’s husband was driving approximately 65 - 70 MPH, the vehicle began to shake aggressively, and the engine had seized. There was no warning light during the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The driver had coasted to the side of the road where the vehicle was towed home with open fuel injectors and piston failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that the spark plugs needed to be replaced again. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665716June 9, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
Even though the dealership reports that safety recall 23V610 / SC280 for the mounting clip replacement was completed on 2/16/24, my rearview camera has just fell out of its housing, hanging by its wires, with the mounting clips laying broken in my driveway. My rearview camera is currently unusable; its taped up so that it is not just swinging by the wires. When I contacted my dealership, they are pretty sure they can get this work covered under the warranty, but they are not sure. And my VIN# is currently not pulling up any "Active Recalls". Either the clips they used to replace the previous clips were also bad, or the dealership didnt actually complete the work as reported.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665616June 8, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Strong smell of gas while driving and under the hood of car with no visible leaks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665670June 8, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
When I drive at night with the headlights on, sometimes the headlights will all go off until I click the button a couple of times then they will come back on, and this scares me because it can cause a wreck when I can’t see
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665522June 7, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle lost power and transmission failed. Vehicle only has 36,000 miles. Dealer is denying recall from manufacturer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665245June 6, 2025
STEERING
The steering started to fail and would be hard to steer while driving.I then looked further online and found that a recall was issued for the steering column and how dangerous it was to continue driving the vehicle for the cross as stated in the recall could seperate and one could lose steering and cause a crash so we; my wife and I managed to get the car safely to the dealer for further diagnostic only to find out that although a recall was issued for the steering problem. Our vin was not included and we had to pay for the repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665356June 6, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Back up camera on Kia Sorento screens go black out of nowhere. After research online I have seen that this is a very common problem with Kia vehicles, and they haven't issued a recall on them. It isn't safe to be operating without one of the vehicles safety features because the vehicle owner doesn't want to pay to repair something they didn't damage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665218June 6, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Transmission loses power.Does not go foward after being in park. Have to turn off car and start it again making weird noise never heard before when it starts and when you turn it off. Has happened several times while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664850June 4, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car is a 2017 Kia Sorento with approximately 73,000 miles. We have always had the oil changed at the Kia dealership. A month after the last time I had it changed (1/2025) we were going on a trip so my dad checked the oil. There was no oil in it. Since then we have been having to put oil in it about once a month or so because it runs out. It is not leaking anywhere and no oil light comes on when it does run out. The oil is disappearing. The oil is burning internally. I am having difficulties with the dealership in addressing the oil consumption issue, even when it's a known problem. This last time I spoke with Robert at Kia Ramada in Shelby NC. They want me to pay for them to look at it and then said they would write up a report to see if corporate would cover it. I feel like since this is a known issue I shouldn’t have to pay for them to look at or diagnose it. He said it would not be covered unless the engine locked up. Well if I keep driving it and don’t keep putting oil in it, it will lock up. I’d rather you fix the issue than have to put in a whole new motor. Please get in touch with me asap so I know what further actions that I will need to take to resolve this matter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664901June 4, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that days later there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised that due to an unknown software update that was not performed, the repair was not covered under recall. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664908June 4, 2025
ENGINE
Engine failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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